Dental demonstrating apparatus



G. H. BURTENsHAw 2,576,569

DENTAL DEMONSTRATING APPARATUS Nov. 27, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed 0017. 19. 1949 ATTORNEYS Nov. 27, 1951 G. H. BURT'ENSHAW 2,576,569

DENTAL DEMONSTRATING APPARATUS Filed oct. 19. 1949 5 sheets-sheet 2 7 f M8 11A AI A l f l" 53 t' E.t 5 8 w 2g y O- i a I l Q I l I 'l' Il Il Il 'l 'l 4a ,I1/9g. a /A-x; G3 fg@ I I L I f- 7 l I -L` Jal' )il |I' A 2 Z INVENTOR Nov. 27, 1951 G. H. BURTENsHAw 2,576,569

DENTAL DEMONSTRTING APPARATUS Filed OC. 19. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BY @JcjTTORNEY Nov. 27, 1951 G. HjBURTENsHAw 2,575,569

DENTAL DEMONSTRATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR 620765 aerfA/HA rv 'F- l 8%@74 'YS N0V 27, 1951 G. H. BURTENSHAW 2,576,569

DENTAL. DEMONSTRATING APPARATUS Filed 0G15. 19. 1949 5 Sheets--Sheet'l 5 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 27, 1951 OFFICE i 2,576,569 DENTAL DEMoNs'rRA'rlNG APPARATUS George Henry Burtenshaw, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Application October 19, 1949, Serial No. 122,189 In New Zealand June 30, 1949 14 Claims. l

This invention relates to an improved denture demonstrating device for giving visual demonstrations of the various relationships assumed by dentures in a persons mouth and as affected by the Varying conditions' in the formation or shrinkages of the gums of the person over periods of time.

The present invention is an improvement over the devices disclosed in my prior Patents No. 2,103,058 of December 21, 1937, and No. 2,203,891 of June 11, 1940.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved denture demonstrating device of simplied and less costly construction .and capable of clearly and fully demonstrating the effects of changes in the gum structure of a persons mouth on the relationship of their artificial dentures, facial expressions and general appearance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for visually demonstrating a number of effects associated with the removal of natural teeth and the use of artificial dentures, embodying a skull having an upper jaw simulating member equipped with retractable means for carrying separable partial upper dentures, a lower jaw simulating member equipped with retractible means for carrying partial lower dentures, mechanisms for effecting retraction of said dentures, means for pivoting the lower jaw simulating member relative to the upper jaw simulating member, a plurality of facial masks, and means for supporting the masks in positions over the jaw simulating members and dentures.

A further object of this invention is to provide a denture demonstrating device embodying means representing one side only of a skull, jaw members and dentures retractably associated therewith, facial masks and means for replaceably positioning the masks in register with the skull and jaw members.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention resides in the parts and combinations shown in the drawings and hereinafter described.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the demonstrating device with the facial masks removed;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the skull removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational View of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view taken from one side of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is another side View taken from the opposite side of' the device shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the lower jaw'simulating member;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the member shown in Fig. 6; Y

Fig.8 is av fragmentary view, partly in section, of themember shown inFig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8; H

Fig'. 10 isa'front elevational View of the demonstrating device with-the masks supported on their carriers for swinging movement into and out of position over the skull. Y

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a knob for shifting a partial denture to simulate gum shrinkage.

As illustrated in the drawings, the demonstrating device of the present invention embodies a background Vplate I having a peripheral reinforcing rim 2. Background plate I is fixed to a pillar or standard-3 adapted to be detachably mounted in a base 4. Standardl 3 is adapted to be vertically positioned in a socket inthe base and may be positioned for rotation about its axis or fixed by a'set screw 5.

A skull simulating member 6 in the form of metal plate covered with plastic material contoured on its frontal surface in the form of the upper portion of a skull is detachably carried by background plate I. For this purpose,. the rear portion `of the skull simulating member 6 is provided with sockets (not shown) which receive pins l projecting forwardly from bosses 8 carried on the frontal surfaceof the plate I. Of course, any equivalent attaching means may be employed.

A bracket 9 is rigidly secured to three vertically spaced and offset bosses I0 on the front of plate I by nuts II which are threaded onto studs carried by the bosses I0. Bracket 9 carries two vertically spaced substantially horizontally extending lugs. I2. It'will be noted that the lugs I2 are not truly vertically positioned one above the other but are slightly offset. Each of the lugs is provided with twobores near the ends thereof with the bores in the upper lug aligned with those in the lower lug. Axially slidably mounted in the aligned bores are two rods I3 and I4 which are inclined relative to the standard 3 and the vertical. v

On the lower end of rod I3 is carried va denture support I5 having a horizontally extending recess I6 of dovetail cross section as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. 1 A forward partial denture I=`I having a securing member I8 fixed thereto of ac'iaiseo 3 dovetail cross section is adapted to be received by the recess I6 and anchored in place by set screw I9.

A similar denture support 20 having a dovetail recess 2| and set screw 22 is carried by the lower end of rod I4 for receiving a rear partial denture v2311 provided .with a vsecuring member similar to I8.

An arm 23 is secured on the upper end of rod I4 between nuts 24 threaded on rod I4. A similar arm 25 is secured on the upper portion of rod I3 between nuts 26 threaded on rod- -I3. Arm Y23V has an opening in its free end 23 which freely receives rod I3 and arm 25 has an opening in -its free end 25'Y which freely receives rod I4. These arms serve as means for shiftingrods I3 -andI4 and for preventing rotation thereof. Y

Rod I4 has a washer 21 thereon bearing against a pin 28 passing through the rod and a spring 29 surroundmg rod .I4 bears against the upper lug I2 andthe Washer to` urge rod I4 downwardly- Rod I4 may be shifted upwardly independently of rod I3 by means of Aan arm 3.0 extending through anyopening in plate I and having a forked end 30 embracing the upper arm 23. Arm 3i) is carried by and extends laterally from a rod 3| slidablymounted on the'rear of the plate I in guide brackets 32. Rod 3I is shifted axiallyupwardly by means of a knurled knob 33 freely rotatably mounted Qn. the upper end f rod 3I and retained thereon by a nut 34. IThe lower end of knob 33 carries a flange 35 of cam form4 which .cooperates withthe upper end of a lug 35 carried by the upper guide bracket 32 and .plate I. A collar 36 is fixed by a set screw to .rod .3i and abuts the lower `end of knob 33. Lug

3,5 Vis a thin vertically extending element and flange 36 has a. slot in one. point .in its circumferential. edge which Avreceives Alug 35 and thus `permits rod 3I to Amove downwardly to its lowermost position.

Lug 35 is. proyidedwith a notch 35' torreceive flange 36 to retain rod. .3 I in Yits lowermost position.

Both rods I3 and I4 maybe shifted upwardly together .by lever 31. extending .through @D @P611- ingin. plate .I having. a forked end 38 embracing arm 25. Y Lever. .31 is mounted .on .a fulcrum pin 39 Ycarried by a. support .40.. mounted on Ythe rear of plate I. The lever .31 is rocked about itspivot by meansrof a small lever 4I alsocarried by support 40. Lever 4I. has .on its .short arm 4.2. .Several nat surfaces .engaging .the short. arm of lever 31 and serving to retain lever. 41 nany of itsA several positions4 of .adjustment tofwhich it may be shifted.

YIt will be realized `thatby .shifting rod |4119.- wardly only the rear upper .denture will be ralSed. On the other hand, by shifting both rods AI3 and I4 upwardly, both the front and rear `11131)...er .dentures will be raised. Y

A lower jaw simulating member is provided and .embodiesa metal .frame 4.3. ooveredwith a plastic Surfacing element 44. The jaw trame 43 is fixed to a short.arm..45' of a boss. .45 provided with a set .screw .4.5. for .securing the boss and vjaw .on a shaft .4:1... Plate l. is. provided withaliened bosses 48 on each side through which shaft v41 Aextends andby .means .Qi WbiehSha-.ft 41.153911?- nailed for rocking movement. Operating. arm

.arm .49 is n xed tothe; rear .end of .shaft 41 by one end of a spring 52 having its other end arichored to a pin 53 carried by plate I. This spring urges the jaw member to closed position. The other limb 54 of the rod is positioned for engagement by one arm 55 of a bell crank lever pivoted to a support 55 on the rear of plate I. The other arm 5..'i of this bellcrank Vlever has ,a threaded opening through which extends a screw 58 provided with a knurled knob 59. The end of screw 58 engages the rear of plate I. Upon rotating screw 58 to shift arm 51 away from the rear of plate I, thearm 55 engaging limb 54 causes limb 54 tomove downwardly which shifts the jaw to a Amore open position against the action of spring 52.

A -tongue simulating member 60 is supported on a curved rod 5I which is secured in position in a Y adly f-.rofm boss 45. 'Ihe upper limb 5I is shaped to receive ,bore of a support 62 carried by boss 45 by means of a set screw 63.

The metal plate 43 of the jaw simulating element is L-shaped and has two L-shaped denture carriers 64 and .6.5 Ymounted thereon. L-shaped .denture carriers are mounted with their vertical. legs between two guide blocks 66 andrS'I secured on the vertical leg Yof the jaw plate 43. It will be noted that the rear lower denture carrier 64 has both its vertical and horizontal legs shorter .than the corresponding legs of the front lower denture carrier 65. T he upper leg of carrier 54 slides between plate 43 and the upper leg of carrier .65., and the upper leg o f .carrier B5 is positioned for sliding .movement between the upper leg of carrier .t4 and a cover plate 58. At the end of .the upper leg of carrier G4 is an offset ear .54 for shifting said carrier.

It will be noted that the engaging surfaces of the upper legs of carriers have cooperating recesses formed therein to provide between them cylindrical sockets 69 to receive a sliding pin 10 carried by guide block 6B.. Pin 1i! has la slot 1I intermediate its ends in which a stop 12 is positioned to limit .axial movement of pin '10 into and out of the sockets. This pin and socket construction enables the carriers to be locked in any one of three vertical positions.

Cover plate carries a guide block 13 which as shown in Fig. 8 cooperates and forms an upper continuation of guide block 61. Block 1.3 has a recess receiving va brake shoe 14 which engages only the edge of the upper .leg of carrier 65. Screws 15 are .threadedll7 mounted in block 13 and engage shoe 14 to cause it to engage the edge of the upper leg of carrier 6.5 with varying degrees of friction.

Each of the horizontal legs of carriers 54 and 65 is oset so as .to lie `in planes parallel to but spaced from the planes Containing the upper legs. Dovetail grooves 1.5 and 11 are formed on the front faces of the horizontal. legs of carriers 65 and.6.4 adjacent the free .ends thereof to receive corresponding mounting block of front and rear Partial dentures 7.8 .and 1.9.

Carrier 64 is provided with a pin 85 on which is mounted one end of a coil spring 8l. The other end of spring el is anchored on a pin 32 carried by cover plate 6'8.

A similar pin 83 is mounted on carrier65 to receive one end of a spring 84, the other end of which is anchored on a pin 85 on the cover plate 58. Springs 8I and 84 urge the carrier `64V and 55 upwardly. It will be noted that pin 86 of carrier 64 extends through an open notch in the bottom .of the horizontal leg of carrier 35 which permits downward movement of carrier .34 independently ofr carrier t5. When carrier 35V is moved down- These interference.

wardl'y, however, pin su is engaged and causes' carrier 64 to be simultaneouslymoved downwardly therewith. y

Carrier 64 is shifted downwardly ymeans of a finger 86 engaging ear 64. Finger 86 is carried by an L-shaped element 81 and extends through an opening in plate I. The L-shaped element 87 is xed on the lower end ofa rod 88 slidably mounted in brackets 89 on the rear of plate I. A knurled knob 90 having a cam shaped flange 9| is loosely mounted on the upper end ,of rod88 between nut 92 and collar 93. Flanger 9I has a slot in its periphery as does. flange 36 .and cooperates with an elongated thin vertical stop 84 carried by upper bracket 89. yIn this instance, however, cam flange 9| cooperates with the bottom edge of stop 84 and when rotated onV rod 88 causes the rod 88 and connected parts 81, 86, 64', 64 and 'I9 to be lowered. 1

The structure described herein isto be used in conjunction with masks representing normal and disgured profiles. For this purpose, plate I carries two supports 94 and 95 in which `are lswingably mounted two arms 86 and S1. -Arm 96 carries a disfigured mask 98 and arm 9'Iv carries a normal mask 99. These arms are of such length and so mounted that when swung over the center of plate I, the mask carried thereby will cover and coincide with the skull 6 and associated parts. v

A muscle representing element IDU of yieldable material such as rubber, having hooked ends, one of which is received in a socket in the skull and the other of which isreceived in a socket beneath the jaw as shown in Fig. is provided to show the effect of absorption or shrinkage of the gums on the jaw muscles.

For comparing the position of the lower jaw member, a pointer IDI is mounted thereon for cooperation with suitable indicia appearing on .x -the face of plate I.

to a prole representation or mask ofthe .wearers face and to provide for the dentures being changed in their relationship to represent the changes caused by shrinkages taking place in the wearers gums.

The said appliance has been developed Yfor use more particularly by dentists in demonstrating to patients the changes in facial appearance and vexpression and the functioning of the jaws that take place brought about by the conditions of their gums and the tting of their dentures. It also may be used to demonstrate a number of effects that are connected with the use'of dentures, asffor instance, loss of masticatory efficiency, loss of crushing power, loss of ability to open the mouth wide enough for speech and food. In addition, it may be used to denote the effect of physical changes such as straightening of the angle of the jaw, damage to the joint and tongue It may be used by lecturers and others in demonstrating these changes and effects to students or others.

From the foregoing, it will be realized that the present invention provides an appliance for yfully demonstrating the effects of absorption or.

shrinkage of the gums on full or partial upper or lower or upper and lower dentures; and the effects on the expression of the wearer.

The appliance described may be duplicated by ,anvexact replica thereof .fxed upon-l the reverse side 'of 'the carrying frame background in corre-r sponding position therewith. The two appliances are then combined to have their lower jaw actuating mechanism controlled by the same means in order that the jaws will move in correspondence one with the other, but to` provide for the upward and downward movements of the dentures in the respective jaws capable of independent adjustment. Thus, the respective appliances may be set to show, by one of them, a correct positioning of the dentures and facial alignment thereof, and by the other, the effects brought about by gum shrinkages. A demonstrator therefore by swinging the background frame around in its rotative vertical mounting may demonstrate to an observer the contrast between the facial and other appearances between the two.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is:

l. An apparatus for demonstrating effects on proled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums tted with artificial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, proled upper denture simulating means of general at construction carried by said support for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally hat construction pivoted to said support for swinging movement, and proled lower denture simulating means of general flat construction carried by the lower jaw member for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects.

2. An apparatus for demonstrating effects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums fitted with articial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, proled upper denture means carried by said support for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally flat construction pivoted to said support for swinging movement, and proled lower denture means carried by the lower jaw member for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage eiects, said upper and lower denture means being formed of front and rear sections with the rear sections movable independently of the front sections.

3. An apparatus for demonstrating effects on proiiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums tted with artificial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element profiled Vupper denture simulating means of general at construction carried by said support for movement in a generally lvertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lowerl jaw simulating member of generally ilat construction pivoted to -said support for swinging movement, profiled lower denture simulating means of genL eral flat construction carried by the lower jaw member for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, facial prole mask means of general 'at construction, and means for positioning said -mask means in register with the denture means.

4. Anv apparatus for demonstrating eiects on proled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums fitted with articial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, proled vupper denture means carried by said support for movement in a generally vertical direction for jaw simulating member of generally -flatuconstruction .pivotedxto said support for lswinging movementfproled lower denture means carried by: the lower jaw member for movement inv agenerally vertical direction for simulating 'lower gum shrinkageeffects, said upper and lower denture means being formed of front and rearsections with the rear sections movable independentlyfof the vfront sections, facial mask means, andmeans foripositioning .said mask means in register with the denture means.

f5. Anapparatus fordemonstrating effects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums fitted fwitlnarticial:dentures` comprising a support intheform or" a plane element, proled upper denturessimulating means of generalilat construction, guidemeans carried by the support for ymounting `the denture means for sliding movement ina .generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage eiects, a lower jaw .simulating member .of generally at construction .pivotally mounted onsaid support for swinging movement, profiled lowerdenture simulating meanszof. general nat. construction, vcarrier mechanism Lior .said lower denture means,v and ,guide means carried by'said lower jaw member for supportingthe vlower denture carrier mechanism for movement in'agenerally vertical direction for simulating lower A sum shrinkage offerts-v (j, Avn apparatus for demonstrating effects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gumsgitted with articial dentures comprising a support ,in the Iform of a plane element,. profiled upperdenture simulating means of general flat Vconstruction carried by said support for movement ina generally. vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally at construction pivoted to said Support for swinging movement, profiled lower denture simulating means of general iiat construction carried by the lower jaw member formovement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, means resiliently urging the upper denture means downwardly, and means resiliently urging the lower -denture means upwardly.

r'vlfenfapparatus fondemonstrating eiects on proled facial -expression of shrinkage of human gums. fitted with articial dentures comprising a support-in the form of a plane element, ,profiled upper denture simulating means of general nat construction carried by said support for move- 4ment in a generally vertical direction for simulatingupper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally ilat constructionpivotedfV to said support for swinging movement, profiled `lower denture simulating means of general iiat construction carried by the lower jawmember for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower sum shrinkage effects, means resiliently urging the upper denture meaIlS downwardly, means resiliently urging the lov/erdenture ,means upwardlyI means for adiustablv limitinsxthe downward Ymovement of the upper denture means, and means for adjustably limiting the upper movement of the lower` sienturemeans.

A 8. An appara-tusA for ,der.rionstrailing reffects on profiled` :facialv expression of shrinkage of. human lgums fitted with articial denturescomprsing a :supportinthe.,form of .a plane element, Y.proled upper denture means carried by said support ,for .movement in a generally vertical direct-ion for simulating upper sum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw Y;sirmilatins .member of generally .fiat construction-pivoted tossaid support for `swinging vmoverrient.r profiled lower .denture means carried by; the lower caw, member for nomment ine een! erally vertical direction forfsimulatins lowerL shrinkage effects, means resiliently urging `the upper denture ',means downwardly, means .resiliently urgingthe lowervdenture meansupwerdlv, means :for adiustably limiting the downwerd movement of the upper denture means, means for ladjustably limiting the upper movement of the lowerfdenture means, and .means for locking the; denture means against movement- .9. An tapparatus for demonstrating eiectsvon proled 4facial expression of shrinkage of human gums fitted ,with artificial dentures comprising asupport. in :the form of a plane element, profiled upperdenture :means including frontand rear sections, tguide Ameans carried. by the support vf or independently mounting the upper denture sections for sliding movement ina generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage eil'ectaa llower jaw .simulating member 4of vgenerally flat construction pivotally mounted on said support for vswinging movement, profiled .lower denture means including front and rear sections, separate. carrier mechanisms for each lower denture section .and guide means carried by said lowerjawfmember for supporting the lower denture carrier mechanisms for independent movement in a generally vertical .direction for simulating lowergum shrinkage effects.

10.7An apparatus for demonstrating eiects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human lgums `fitted withI artificial dentures `comprising a support inthe formof a `plane element, proled upper denture-means including front and rear sections, vguide means carried-by the support for independently mounting the upper denture sections -for Ysliding movement i-n a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, Aa lower jaw `simulatingrriember of generallyatconstruction. pivotaily mounted on said support for swinging movement, profiled -lower denture means including front and rear sections, lseparate carrier mechanisms for each lower denture section-and guide means Ycarried by said lower jaw,member-forsupporting the lower-denture carrier mechanisms for independent-movement in a generally verticaldirection for simulating lowerY gum shrinkage eiects, Yand resilient mea-ns urging the upper-denture sections down- ,-denture'means including front and rear sections,

separate carrier mechanisms for each lower denture-section `and vguide vmeans carried by said lower jaw member for supporting the lower den- -turefcarrier mechanisms for independent movement in a generally Vvertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, resilientmeans urgingthe upper -ldenture sections downwardly Yand Aurging kthe-,lower denture sections upwardly,

and means for retractably shifting the rearden- -tureseotions independentlytofthe front sections. 12. An apparatus for-demonstrating effects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums fitted with artificial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, proled upper denture means including front and rear sections, guide means carried by the support for independently mounting the upper denture sections for sliding movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage eifects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally flat construction pivotally mounted on said support for swinging movement, profiled lower denture means including front and rear sections, separate carrier mechanisms for each lower denture section and guide means carried by said lower jaw member for supporting the lower denture carrier mechanisms for independent movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, resilient means urging the upper denture sections downwardly and urging the lower denture sections upwardly, means for retractably shifting the rear denture sections independently of the front sections, and means for locking the rear denture sections in retracted positions.

13. An apparatus for demonstrating effects on proled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums tted with articial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, profiled upper denture means including front and rear sections, guide means carried by the support for independently mounting the upper denture sections for sliding movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally flat construction pivotally mounted on said support for swinging movement, profiled lower denture means including front and rear sections, separate carrier mechanisms for each lower denture section and guide means carried by said lower jaw member for supporting the lower denture carrier mechanisms for independent movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, means resiliently urging the lower jaw member to a closed position, and means for adjustably limiting the position to which the jaw is moved by the resilient means.

14. An apparatus for demonstrating effects on profiled facial expression of shrinkage of human gums tted with articial dentures comprising a support in the form of a plane element, profiled upper denture simulating means of general flat construction carried by said support for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating upper gum shrinkage effects, a lower jaw simulating member of generally ilat construction pivoted to said support for swinging movement. proiiled lower denture simulating means of general flat construction carried by the lower jaw member for movement in a generally vertical direction for simulating lower gum shrinkage effects, facial proiile masks of general flat construction, arms swingably mounted on said support, and means on the iree ends of said arms for carrying said masks, and shifting said masks selectively into and out of register with the denture means.

GEORGE HENRY BURTENSI-IAW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,178,717 Burtenshaw Nov. 7, 1939 2,203,891 Burtenshaw June 1l, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 794,444 France Dec. 12, 1935 

